2
a
: rise, beginning, or derivation from a source
the origin of life on earth
The word "algebra" is of Arabic origin.
b
: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives
the origin of the custom
a game of recent origin
also
: something that creates, causes, or gives rise to another
a spring is the origin of the brook
3
: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle
4
: the intersection of coordinate axes
Examples of origin in a Sentence
Her ethnic origins are French.
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Recent Examples on the Web
Whereas Bowen’s upbringing created a natural affinity with Proust, his work also struck a chord with contemporaries of more humble origin.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of season one, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
With that, the band departed save for a pianist and Garfunkel, donning a Philadelphia Phillies cap, read a poem inspired by his father before telling the origin story of his landmark 1970 track.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
Hollywood’s first blockbuster movie was celebrating half a century of cinematic excellence, so Spielberg and company reunited for the milestone to share the origin story of one of the scariest — and most production-challenged — films ever made.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
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Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of season one, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
With that, the band departed save for a pianist and Garfunkel, donning a Philadelphia Phillies cap, read a poem inspired by his father before telling the origin story of his landmark 1970 track.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
Hollywood’s first blockbuster movie was celebrating half a century of cinematic excellence, so Spielberg and company reunited for the milestone to share the origin story of one of the scariest — and most production-challenged — films ever made.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/origin. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
origin
noun
or·i·gin
ˈȯr-ə-jən 
ˈär-
2
a
: a rising, beginning, or coming from a source
b
: basic source or cause
3
: the intersection of the x-axis and y-axis on a graph
Medical Definition
origin
noun
or·i·gin
ˈȯr-ə-jən, ˈär-
1
: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives
2
: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle compare insertion sense 1
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